Alejandro has had no formal art schooling and works in the family workshop, primarily with his wife. They work together inventing new techniques and designs for their toys and alebrijes. Alejandro has been tasked with creating the giant alebrije, Michicihualli, that Feria Maestros del Arte will be sponsoring on November 9 in Mexico City (See article below). You can see Alejandro's wonderfully creative and unique alebrije toys and art at the Feria in November and you can Read more about him here:

MEXICO CITY Alebrije Parade

The date: November 9th. The place: Mexico City The event: The Alebrije Parade

This year, the Feria is sponsoring an alebrije in the Mexico City Alebrije Parade and has asked Alejandro Camacho Barrero to use his amazing skills to create "Michichualli", the mythical Lady of Lake Chapala.

2013 alebrijeparadeposter Alejandro's 'Michichualli' will be coming to reside here at Lakeside after a short stay in Mexico City. Watch out for it at the Feria - although it will be VERY hard to miss!

MORE THAN JUST AN ART SHOW The Feria is much, much more than the wonderful event that occurs every November. The Feria goes on all year long, seeking out artists in every corner of Mexico, encouraging them, helping them to find the resources they need, helping them network with other artists. There is transportation to organize, for both artists and their work. There are hosts to be found for their stay in Chapala. There are tables to rent, advertising to design (and pay for), parking to arrange. And then we take everything down and start all over again. All of it costs money (to the Feria, not to the artists) and without your support we couldn't do it. But donations are getting harder and harder to come by in these economic times. Won't you please help us help an Artist?

2013 Huichol group- You come to the Feria knowing you will find incredible art - the wonderful, colorful, unique and traditional art of Mexico. But that's not all you will find there.

This year, the stage will be graced, as always,by folklórico dancing.This type of dancing is composed of ballet steps and zapateados, steps which involve percussive heel-stomping and all the dances provide a tapestry of tempos.

The Mariachi Feminil Mujer will be returning again this year. The ten-members of this all-female mariachi group came together in 2004 to become one of the best-known female mariachi bands in Mexico. They never disappoint!

New this year will be Huichol music. Very different to their visual art of brightly-colored yarn and beadwork, Ne Iwama Wixárika’s music will reach certain parts of your brain and wake up places that were asleep.

Then there's La Recicleychon, a group of young men from Guadalajara who have taken music to a new level. 2013 recycleychon - Juvenal Álvarez (founder) takes PVC pipes, hoses, cartons and other junk on the streets to make trumpets, drums, tubas and other instruments.

TERRACYCLE

Speaking of recyling, this year the Feria has partnered with TerraCycle and we are getting "cash for trash". Believe it or not, collecting food wrappers and other items makes money that we use to help the artists. Please use the special Terracycle bins you see around the Feria and read more about it here.

La Recicleychon, the "Recycled' band, you will hear at the Feria, fits in perfectly with our 'Terracycling' theme.

WONDER WOMAN! The Musical

Is coming to Ajijic - and the proceeds will benefit the Feria Maestros del Arte

The original Wonder Woman created by Harvard professor William Marston in 1941 continues to be a symbol of female courage at age 72. Not only is she still going strong, she has become the “grandparent” heroine of five year olds around the world.

Although Wonder Woman has entered the “prime of life”, certain elements remain consistent: she boldly confronts corruption and cruelty wielding the famous Lasso of Truth and at age seventy two, she elevates sexual power and spiritual femininity while questioning the purpose of our lives.

The Wonder Woman musical at El Piano Rojo is aptly entitled “More Than Meets The Eye.” Proceeds go directly to sponsor Mexican artists from all corners of Mexico who are invited to attend the 2013 Feria Maestros del Arte.

Tickets for the 3 benefit performances should be purchased in advance at El Piano Rojo, 14 Morales Street for $150 pesos each. Performances are on October 20, October 27 and November 3 at 5 pm, doors open at 4:30.

Feria Maestros del Arte's website www.mexicoartshow.com gives information on all aspects of the Feria - even hosting. Each artist has their own webpage allowing you to read about them and see examples of their work before you meet them at the show. If you are interested in volunteering contact Volunteer Coordinator Lynda Deriger at ferialynda@gmail.com or for other questions, contact Anne Flaningam at 766-1609 or email aflaningam@gmail.com, or Donna Williams at (376) 765-5937, email wms.donna@gmail.com.